Machine for mining



Jan. s, 1924. 1,480,003

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Jan., 8 1924. 1,480,003

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Jan. s, 1924. I 1,480,003

` E. c. MORGAN MACHINE FOR MINING Filed Jan. 5, 1916 11 Sheets-Sheet 11Paten-ted Jan. 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDMUND MORGAN, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; OLIVE EUGENIE MORGAN IEXECUTRIX IOF SAID EDMUND C.

MORGAN, DECEASED.

MACHINE FOR MINING.

Application led January 5, 1916. Serial No. 70,341.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDMUND C. MORGAN, a citizen of the United States, fresiding at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Mining, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto improvements in mining machines and miningsystems and has for its object the provision of a machine of thischaracter which shall be of novel and improved construction andoperation. The

invention also contemplates the new system embodying my improvedmachine.

This invention is exemplified in the combination and arrangement ofparts, and the method of operation, illustrated in the ac. companyingdrawings and described in the following specification, and it is moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the arrangement of a mine,illustrating the method of operation forming a part of this invention; fY

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but 'differing from Fig. 1 in that it`shows only a small port-ion of amine on a larger scale;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view vof the machine for severing the coal from itsnative bed which forms a part of this invention;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 3, the'operating portion of the machine being in itsupper position;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of themachlne shown in Fig. 4, but with theoperating part Y in its lower position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of 'the operating mechanism of themachine shown in Fig. 3; v

Fig. '7 is a sectional elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the upper end of the supporting standard of themachine shown in Fig. 7';

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 1s an elevational Aview .with parts in section, of the miningmachine, showing 4 the construction of the operating engine;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional viewof the upper end of one form of thesupporting standard for themining machine;

Fig 12 is a fragmentary bottom plan View of the head for the `supportingstandard shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 13-13 of Fig. .7 i

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 14-14 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an elevational view of the planetary gearing used inconnection with the mechanism shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of they supply coupling for lthe energizingfluid used to drive the engine of the mining machine;

Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional lview of a mine showing a supportingprop used in connection with this invention;

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic sectional plan view illustrating the method ofshifting the supporting props;

Fig. 19 is a transverse sectional view of a mine entry illustrating onestep in the process forming `a part of this invention;

Fig. 20 is a view of the entry shown in Fig. 19, illustrating asubsequent step to that shown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 isa vertical sectional view of one form of mine propused inconnection with this invention;

' Fig. 22 is a detail view of one of the valves of the prop shown inFig. Q21;

Fig. 23 isa horizontal sectional-view of the prop shown in Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a detail view of another valve of this prop; Y

Fig. 25 is a sectional view'of a modified form of mine prop;

Fig. 26 is a bottom plan, and

Fig. 27 is a top plan, of a combined pump and. windlass 4used inshifting lthe mine props as shown in Fig. 18.

In order that the inventionimay be bestand is provided with keyways 5and keys .6

at the upper end thereof for the purpose of -the mine chamber in whichthe machine 1s being operated. The nature of these extensions will'depend upon the conditions of operation. lin the form shown in Fig. 7,theeXtensio-n 7 is given the character of a hydraulic jack having aplunger 10., which may be forced upwardly in a cylindrical portion 11 ofthe extension by means of a liquid 12 confined within theA cylindricalportion. rllhe hydraulic jack may be of ordinary construction andprovided with a stub'shaft 137 to which the handle for operating thejack may be detachably secured.

lao

rllhe upper end of th-e extension 7 is pro'- vided with keyways 14 toregister with keys 15. carried by the head 16 of the jack. By thisconstruction, the head 16 may be forced upwardly relative to thestandard 17 but is held from rotation relative thereto. 'llhe head 16 isprovided with the laterally radial lexter'iding armsl 17 havingprojecting lugs 18 arranged to be forced into the upperv surface of themine chamber. rl`h`ese lugs 18 prevent any rotation of the head 16 andalso ofthe standard 1 when the device is secured in operative position.Slots- 19 are pro-vided in the upper end of the extension 7 toreceivethe arms 17 when the vhead of the jack is lowered. Theseslots are madedeep enough to permit of sufiicient 'clearance abo-ve the upper end ofthe eXtension 7 to allow the downwardly extending portion 8 to bewithdrawn from the upper end of the standardl 1, so that the extensionmay be removed-from the supporting standard .when it isA desirable toAdo so. lin ver shallow veins a screw-threaded head 16", Fig. 11,operated by hand-wheel 16, is emv ployed.

A framework 20 for carrying the oper- A ating mechanism of the machine-is assoelated with the standardtl and is provided with upper and lowerguide portions 21 and 22, which have circular openings, 23 and 24,respectively, which fit over. the standard 1 and are of the properdiameter to slide freely on the'outer periphery of the screw threadscarried by the standard. Threaded on the standard 1 and positioned justabove the lower guide member 22, is a.nut 25 which is provided withteeth 26 on its periphery, thus forming a worm wheel. Resting on theupper surface of the nut 25 .and splined `to the supporting standard 1is a .ing best shown in Fig. 13.

,in rig. 15.

neeopoe second worm wheel 27,. free to slide vertically upon thestandard but prevented from rotation thereon by keys 28. rllhe uppersurface of the worm wheel 27 contacts with the lower surface of thesupporting portion 21 of the frame 20, the two worm wheels 25 and 27thus filling the space between the two portions 21 and 22. Driving worms29 and 30 are provided for the worm wheels 25 and 27 respectively. rlFheworm 3() is journaled in stationary bearings 31 and 32 carried by theframe 20, the arrangement for driving this worm and also the worm 29 be-Y As shown in Fig. 13, the worm 30 is journaled for rotation in thebearings 31 and 32 and is provided with a longitudinal circular openingthrough which a shaft 33 extends. 'llhe shaft v33 is .free to rotaterelative to the worm 30 and carries a gear 34 rigidly secured to one endthereof. The gear 34 is provided with two sets of gear t'eet-h, 'thes'et 35 as shown in Fig. 6 being arranged to mesh with the teeth of agear 36 carried bythe engine shaft. The teeth 37 mesh withthe pinion 38rigidly secured to the end of the shaft 39, which carries the worm 29.

A clutch 40 operated by a lever 40', is

splined to the end. of the worm 30 and isv `end of the shaft 33 oppositethe gear 34 is provided with a pin-ion 41 which meshes with the pinions42 forming a part of a system of planetary gearing best illustratedrllhe outer gear 43 of the system is rotatably mounted on `)the end ofthe worm 30 and is provided with brake band 44 and lever 44 for holdingit stationary atthe will of the operator. By this arrangement. the worm30 may be driven directly by the gear 3 4 through the clutch 40, or itmay be given a slower and more powerful movement through the planetarygearing. When the clutch 40 is disconnected and the brake band 44 isloosened,

V the gear 35 will run free without driving the worm 30. rllheworm 2,9is journaled in sliding bearings 45 which are movably mounted o-nslideways 46 and which may be shifted back and 4forthvto bring the worm29 into and out of engagement with the worm wheel'25. The bearings 45are shifted by means of couplings 47 carried by eccentrics secured to`the shaft 48, which extends transversely of the machine frame and whichis provided with operating handles 49 located one at each side of themachine. The teeth of the gears 37 and 38 are of sutilcient length thatthey permit of the shifting of worm 29 into and out of operativeengagement With the worm wheel 25 withllO Vwill be raised or lowered bythe threads v framework will be normally locked from rotation relativeto the standard 1 by the worm wheel 27 and the co-operating worm 30.When, however, it is desirable to rotate the frame and operatingmechanism relative to the supporting standard, this may be done bydriving the worm 30, which will thereby be fed around the periphery ofthe worm wheel 27, since this wheel is preventedv from' rotation on thestandard by means of the key 28. The standard itself is 'prevented fromrotating, as previously pointed out, by the construction of the head 16and the arms 17 carried at the upper end of the standard.

The power mechanism for driving the mining machine is best illustratedin Figs. 6 and 10, and consists of a steam or `compressed airreciprocating engine having two cylinders and 51. The pistons of thesecylinders operate cross heads 52 and 53 respectively, which are providedwith guides 54 forming a Ypart of the framework 20. The cross heads 52and 53 are provided-with connecting rods 55 and 56 respectively, whichdrive cranks 57 secured to the main shaft 58 of the engine. The shaft 58carriesr the ear 36 for driving the two worms previous y described, andalso has loosely mounted thereon the sprocket wheel 59. A clutch 6() isslidably mounted onv the shaft for securing the sprocket wheel 59 forrotation therewith. The clutch is operated by a rod 61 anda handle 62located att the top of the framework and shown in Figs.'3 and 4. Theshaft 58 also carries at each end thereof a pair of'eccentrics 63 and 64which operate the valves of the engine cylinders by means of eccentricrods 65 and 66 -and reversing link mechanism 67 of well knownVconstruction. The reversing lever 68 is connected to the shaft 69, whichextends transversely of the machine,

as shown in Fig. 6, Iand which is con-- nected to the link mechanism bya pair o f .arms 70 and 7l. The energizing fluid 1s admitted to thecylinders of the engine througha pipe 72 and a fiexible hose 73. A,

detachable connection 74 and a throttle valve 74 are providedbetween thehose 73 and the pipe 72. This connection, shown in detail in Fig. 16, isof well known construction and is provided with a valvel 75 whichautomatically closes the supplhose hose 73 as the cutter head isrotated.

n 73 when the connection is broken.

l uides 73 are provided to prevent mutilation of the The base portion ofthe frame 20, upon which the operating parts just described are mounted,is extended as best shown in Fig. 3 to form a rotary table 76 having ais provided, which is in the form of a loop having an unobstructedcore-opening therethrough, as best shown in Fig. 5. frame 78 is providedat its front edge with a sliding cutter chain 79 which meshes with thesprocket wheel 59 and is driven thereby. A projection80 is provided atthe upper portion of the frame 20 for directing the sprocket chain fromthe wheel 59 onto the frame 78. The chain 79 slides in guides on theframe 78 and is provided with bits 81 `for cutting a kerf in thematerial to be mined.

Where the edges of the portions 76 and 77 of the swinging table meet,they are beveled .as shown at 82 -to overlap one another lwithoutforming an uneven surface on the top of the table. vThe extension 77, asshown in Fig. 7, has an overhanging lug 83 which rests upon acorresponding rim 84 extending outwardly from the periphery of the baseportion of the framework20. The exten-` sion 77 is also provided witharms ,85 and 86 which partially encircle the cylindrical por- .tion ofthe framework; 20 and which are provided attheir extremities wit-hinwardly extending lugs 87 which fit within grooves or guideways 88 inthe framework 20. By this The construction the extension 77 is permittedto of the portion 76.

In operation, the machine is positioned in a mine chamber, as shown inFigs. 3, 4 and 5, and 1s secured in place by forcing the head of thestandard 4 upwardly into contact v with the roof of the chamber untilthe lugs 18 bite into the roof a sufficient distance to prevent rotationof the standard. The upper cut illustrated in Fig. 4 is preferably madefirst. The operating portion of the machine may be raised into thlsposition by causing the engine to drive the Worm 29 while it is held inmesh with the worm wheel 25 by means of the links 47 and lhand cranks49. During this operation, thel worm 30 is disconnected from the engineand prevents-rotation of the operating mechanism and its supportingframe' about the standard 4,' for the reason that the worm of theplanetary gearing connected therewith wheel 27 is held from rotation onthe standard by means of key 28, but is free to slide verticallythereon. When the operating parts of the machine are properly positionedvertically, thesprocket wheel 59 is clutched to the main shaft 58 andthe cutter chain 7 9 is driven on the cutter frame 78.l At the beginningof the operation, the cutter frame 78 is in such an angular positionrelative to the standard l that the cutting mechanism is properlylocated for beginning the cut illustrated in Fig. 3. After the chain 79has been started, the worm 30 is driven by means to slowly rotate theentire framework about the supporting standard in a counter clockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 3. This feeds the cutter frame into thematerial to be mined in such a way as to sever a crescentshaped portionfrom the face of the mine wall, as will be clear from an inspection ofFig. 3. At the beginning of the rotary movement of the machine, thetable 76 will occupy such an angular position in the mine chamber thatit may be necessary to have the extension 77 in itsl telescoped positionto prevent' its striking the wall of the mine on the side opposite thatat which the cut is started. As the cutter frame is fed into thematerial, it, will draw the table 76 into the bottom kerf formed by thechain cutter, and when the operation has proceeded a sufficient distancethe extension 77 may be drawn away' from the portion 76 so that thecomplete table, when extended, will be large enough to receive theentire section of material severed from the mine wall. 'As the materialis cut from the wall, it.may break intoa number of pieces, dependingupon the nature of the material being worked, but all of thematerialwill be received and retained on top `of the table 76. The material ispreventedv from contacting with the driving mechanism by means of anupstanding wall 89 which eX- tends substantially around the periphery ofthe central portion of the machine and which supports a cover plate 90resting on the top of the wall 89 and encasing the greater part of theoperating mechanism. The wall 89 is provided with suitable dividinglines and detachable sections to permit proper assem- 4 bling of theoperating parts.

, When .a out has been completed in thev and-at a very much greaterspeed. This will cause the cutter head and the table 76 to be Laeopoaswung in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, and thetable will carry with it the severed coal and bring it into a positionin the rear of the cutter head, as shown in Fig. at, from which it maybe moved from the table into a car 91 or other suitable transportingmechanism. llt will be apparent that by a complete operation, the cutterhead will be rotated entirely around the supporting axis. Tf theoperation were repeated a number of times, the supply hose 73 would bewound around the supporting standard. This is prevented, however, bydisconnecting the hose after each cut and reconnecting it after it hasbeen unwound'from the standard. The engine, of course, could be reversedto rotate the cutter head in an opposite direction when the coal isswung into loading position, thus preventing the winding of the supplyhose upon the standard. The preferable mode of operation is, however,torotate the cutter head always in the same direction and to disconnectthe hose after each cut is made.

After the upper cut has been completed, the machine is lowered onthestandard and the lower cut is made in the same way asthe upper one.After the lower cut has been completed, however, it will be necessary todrive the worm 29 to raise the machine and the severed coal into theupper position so that it may be discharged into the transport-- ingcar. The operation, of course, may be reversed and the lower cuttakenfirst. Tf this is done it will be 'necessary to swing the table with thesevered material thereon into position in the rear of' the standardbefore it is raised into loading position. The machine may be operatedin veins of any desired-y thickness, the number of cuts for cachposition of the machine depending upon the thickness of the vein. Tf thevein is a shallow one and can be completely 'removed ,by a single cut,an operating head like .that

shown in Figs.A 10, 1l and 12 is used, the head being placed directly inthe upper end of the supporting standard and a flat shallow pan beingsubstituted for the4 car 91. Tf the vein is a thicker one, a sufficientnumber of extension members 7 is used in connection with lthe supportingstandard to make the standard of the correct length to correspond toIthe height, of the mine chamber.

Tn order to carry out t-he system of mining for which the machinedescribed above is especially adapted, it is desirable to have anespecially constructed mine support. Supports particularly adapted tothis purpose are illustrated in Figs. 17,18 and 21 to 25 inclusive.- Tn'21 to 2st is shown a' hydraulic mine support or prop especially designedfor use in connection with the mining system constituting a part of thisinvention. This support is provided with a hollow base member 92 inwhich an operating of the prop. The duct 98 extends downwardlythroughthe piston head 95 and communicates with the chamber'in the base 92. Theduct 97 has an opening 99 through the wall of the portion 94 into thechamber 96. A passage 98 connects the two ducts 98 and 97 near ythelower endofthe chamber 96 and a valve 98l is provided' for opening andclosing this passage,'as is shown in Fig. 24. The two ducts 97 and 98are continued outwardly through the lug 100 at the upper end of theprop, where they are provided with nipples 101, best shown in Fig. 22,for connection with an operating pump. The nipple connected with theduc-t 98 is provided with a one-wa)v valve 102 for automatically closingthe opening in the duct against outward pressure from the liquid 93 inthe interior of the cylinder 92. A detachable pump 103 showndiagrammatically is pro vided with a pair of hooks 104 by means of whichit may be held in position adjacent the openings of the ducts 97, 98.The pump 103 is provided with a pair of projecting tubes 105 which makeconnection with the nipples 101 when the pump is in operating position.The pump is driven by a motor 106 shownI diagrammatically to the uppersurface of which it is secured, and which also drives a windlass 107located at the base of the motor. Extending laterally trom the upper andlower portions of the prop is a pair of arms 108 and 109. rThese armsare pivotally connected to the prop at their inner endsand are providedwith heavy springs 110 for forcing them away from one another.I Theamount of movement of the arms 108, 109 is very slight and is limited byinwardlyv projecting lugs 111, which fit over corresponding lugs 112 onthe mine prop. There is a lug 111 on each side of the lug 112, and theyare spaced apart suiiciently to permit of the slight molvement ot thearms 108, 109 which may be desirable.

'The arms 108 and 109 are in the'form of plates extending laterally adistance somewhat greater than the diameter of the props themselves. Thelower arm 109 is provided at its extremities with a plurality ofupwardly project-ing lugs 113, there being a pair of these lugs locatedadjacent each lateral edge of the arm. The Ymotor 106 is provided, asshown in Fig. 26, with`a base member 114 having openings 115 thereinarranged to t over the lugs 113 and hold the motor `and its windlass inposition on the arm 109, as illustrated in Fig. 18. At the inner end ofthe arm 109 is a boss 116, and the cable 117 carried by the windlass 107is provided with a ring 118 arranged to tit over the boss 116, as isalso shown in Fig. 18. The purpose of the windlass and cable is formoving the props relatively to one another in a way which will be clearfrom this figure. Between the lugs 113 and the boss 116 and extendingtransversely of the arm 109, is a pair of 'upwardly projecting ribs 119arranged to form a continuous track when a series of props are placedsideby side, as illustrated in Flg. 2.

In Fig. 25 is shown a modified form of mine prop, in which a standard120 is mounted for vertical movement in an opening 121 inthe base member122. The standard 120 has an internal chamber 123 and is provided with apiston head 124 iitting within the chamber 121. A passage 125,

vextending through the piston head 124, connects the chambers 121 and123. The passage 125 may be opened Vand closed by means of a valve 126to permit the flow of liquid from one chamber to the other. The standard120 is provided with a flange 127 which rests upon a heavy coil spring128 supported by the upper portion of the base 122. A cap 129 has ascrew-threaded connection with the upper portion of the base 122 and aninwardly projecting flange 130, which bears against the lupper surfaceof the tiange 127 on the standard 120.

The upper end of the standard 120 is provided with screw threads 131, onwhich a bevel gear 132 is threaded. The head 133 of the mine proptelescopes over the threaded portion of the standard and is providedwith openings 134, by means of which a detachable hand wheel 135 maybeheld in position to cause a pinion 136 to mesh with the gear 132 torotate the gear 132 on the standard 120.

The base 122 is provided with a laterally projecting arm 137 which issimilar to the arm 109 of the prop previously described, with theexception that it is made rigid with the base of the prop instead ofbeing pivoted thereto. The head 133 is also provided with a laterallyprojecting arm 138 whichv is rigid with the head and which is providedwith an otset portion 139, leaving the upper end of the head proper alittle higher than the upper surface of the laterally projecting arm. 4

Vhen a prop'of this form is placed in position in a mine chamber, thehead is forced upwardly into contact with the roof of the mine by meansof the hand wheel 135. The standard 120 is prevented from settling inthe base 122 by the liquid in the chamber 121, the valve 126 beingclosed.

r`the bevel gear 132 may be easily operated to further lower the head ofthe prop. As the head is lowered, the spring 128 will again expand andthe liquid will return to the chamber 121, after which the valve 126 maagain be closed so that the prop will be in condition for a secondoperation. A similar result is accomplished in connection with the propshown in Fig. 21, by opening the valve 98 and permitting the liquid toflow through the duct 98 'from the lower portion to the upper portion ofthe prop.

'lhe operation of the mining system forv which the above describedmechanism is especially adapted will best be understood by Figs. 1, 2and 17' to 2O inclusive. A shaft a is first sunk from the surface of theearth to a level with the vein of coal which is to be mined. Themechanism and system are especially applicable to deep mines where thepressure is very great, but they may be used for mining coal at anydepth. From the shaft a, entries t are made through the vein of coal toany desired vdistance from the shaft, the length of the entriesdepending upon the conditions ofthe particular field being operated. Apillar c is left between the entries to separate the two in order toprovide for better ventilation. The machine shown in Figs. A and 5 isused in driving the entries, the width of the entry being determined bythe width of the cut made by the machine. As the entry is drivenforward, propslike those shown in Figs. 21

and 25 are placed by the-side of the entry with the arms extendingacross the floor and the roof forming a lining for both the Hoor and theroof of the entry. 'llhe position of the props in the entry may beunderstood by reference to Fig. 17.

The ribs 119 on the a track over which cars' may be run behind themachine as it progresses to carry away the excavated material,Practically all the weight of the earth above the entry is borne by thehead of the prop, the laterally extending arms 108 being merely for thepurpose of preventing dropping of loose portions from Vthe roof of themine. r)The coil springs which force the arms 108 upwardly will permitthe arms to move a sufficient amount to compensate for any unevenness inthe roof of the mine chamber and prevent bottom arms 109 form masonesundue pressure upon the arms. After the entries b have been driven asufficient distance, if it is found desirable the props may be removedand permanent timbering and tracks substituted. From the main entries b,laterals d and c are driven to any desired distance from the mainentries, and'otherentries 7' are run parallel with the main entries Z)for the purpose of facilitating the mining operation. When this much hasbeen accomplished, a number of machines g are operated in conjunctionwith one another to completely remove the material from the vem. 'llheprocedure by which the material is removed will best be understood byreferring to Fig. 2. The entries parallel with the main entries f b inthe preferred method of operation, are only the width of a single cutmade by one of the machines. 'llhey may be made of greater width,however, in order to accommodate a double track, as is shown at f, Fig.2. llwo machines g are set to operate simultaneously from alternate entries f, and may be moved after each cut by air cylinders n. As themachines progress across the face of the portions of the vein betweenthe entries, props are placed behind the machines and contiguous to oneanother to form tracks upon which the cars for removing the material arerun. rll`he machines will be operated back and forth across the face ofthe vein, each movement of the machine across the face of the portion ofthe vein between the entries removin asection of the vein of a widthequal to t at Aof a cut made by the machine and contigly drawn fromtheir previous position into aposition directly behind Ithe operatingmachine. 'll`his is done in the manner illustrated in lig. 18 by meansof the motor 106 and windlass 107. As the props are drawn to their newpositions, the roof of the mine from which they' are removed is leftunsupported and is free to fall into the space from which'they coal hasbeen removed. llt should be noted that the nature of the min'- ingmachine especially adapts it to this method of operation, since themachine has no front or rear but may operate in any direction founddesirable. 1n driving entries, the machine may work in one direction-until an entry of sufficient length has been made, and then it maycontinue to operate to drive an entry at right angles to the one alreadyformed, without any turning of thel machine whatever. 1n this way themachine may be turned from one direction to another, in the space madeby its own cut.

Illhe track 'used in the entries f is made in sections h of a lengthequal to the width of the cut made by one of the machines. After eachsection of material is removed from the face of the vein, a section 7Lof the track is taken up and the switching section i of the track ismoved to a new position in the entry to correspond to the new positionof the machine. If desired, one or more machines y' may be kept inoperation driving the various entries used in connection with thissystemI of mining. This is not essential, however, and the entriesmay bedriven as needed bythe machines used for removing the bulk of thematerial. Any number of batteries of mining machines may be operated atone time in the mine, the second battery being shown at is, in Fig. 1.As a battery works inwardly toward the main shaft, the roof of the minebeing left unsupported will fall and fill the space fromwhich the coalhas been removed.

Since the coal is removed right up to the mine entries b, the roof infalling will have a tendency to break down the roof of these entries. Toprevent this, it may sometimes be desirable to form a kerf in the rockabove and at the edge of the entry b, as illustrated in Fig. 19. Thismay be one by means of a machine Z-of well known construction. Aftersuch a kerf has been formed, the coal m at the side of the entry may beremoved and the earth above this coal in falling will not then draw downwith it the roofof the entry but will.fa.ll as illustrated in Fig. 2()preserving the'entry for any further use that may be desired of it.

The props used in connection with the machine are of heavy constructionand are especially designed for use where the pressure of the earth' isvery great. In consequence of this, they are of course ratherexpensiveto manufacture. But, by using them in conjunction with the machinedescribed,-

the cost of timbering in a mine is greatly reduced. This is due to thefact that the mining 'operation is concentrated in a small area and onlya comparatively small number of props is necessary to produce a givenoutput from the mine. The props, of course, are used over and over againfor a period covering a number of years, and thus although the firstcost of the props is considerable, a great Savin is accomplished in theultimate-cost of tim ering, which is becoming more and more expensive asthe cost of timber advances. By the use of the machine and processdescribed, the entire vein ot' coal is removed from thel mine withoutthe necessity of leaving pillars or timbers in the mine after working iscompleted, and the'dangers from insecure timbering and mining operationsextending over a large area in order to produce a required output, arepractically eliminated.

In my divisional application, Serialv No. 587 ,188, tiled September 9,1922, for an improvement in roof-supporting mechanism for coal mines, Ihave described and claimed the system of mining and loading illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings and also the specific formof roof sup- .ports illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18, and Figs. 21 to 27,inclusive.

I claim:

1. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame having a supportingstandard. of a supplemental frame carried by said standard and rotatable-t'reely about the same, kerf-cutting mechanism comprising a cutterchain mounted on said supplemental frame to move bodily therewith, powermechanism on said supplemental frame for dri-ving said cutter chain,power mechanism on said supplemental frame for moving the lattertogether with said kerf-cutting mechanism in an arc about said standardto effect arcuate feed of said kerf-cutting mechanism, and powermechanism on said supplemental frame for adjusting the elevation of saidsupplemental frame together with said kerf-cutting mechanism on saidstandard.

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of ananchoring jack extendin 'upwardly from a central portion of sai frame inposition to engage the root of a mine chamber, a supplemental framemounted on said anchoring jack for rotation about the same as an axis,corecutting mechanism mounted onsaid supplemental frame to extendradially relative to said axis and movable bodily with said supplementalframe, said core-cutting mechanismhavin an unobstructed core-openingtherethroug i, self-acting power mechanism on said supplemental framefor driving said core-cutting mechanism, and self-acting powermechanismon said supplemental frame for rotating said supplemental trame togetherwith said core-cutting mechanism on said axis to secure arcuate feed ofsaid core-cutting mechanism.

` 3. In a mining machine, the combination with a roof jack to constitutea supporting frame, of cutting apparatus mounted on said roof jackintermediate its ends for a complete rotation about said jack, means foroperating said cutting apparatus including feed thereof along an arc onsaid roof jack as an axis, vand self-acting power' mechanism foradjusting the height of said cutting apparatus comprising means formoving'the cutltgng apparatus rectilinearly along said J 4. In a miningmachine, the combination with supporting framework, of core-cuttingapparatus mounted thereon and havingan upper run for cutting a kerf inan approximately horizontal plane, and a lower run for cutting a kerf inan approximately horizontal plane spaced from said first-named kerf,means for operating said core-cutting apparatus includingvfeedingmovement thereilo of, and means for adjusting the height ofsaidcore-cutting apparatus in its entirety b-y rectilinear vert1calmovement thereof relacut at the ceiling of the mine chamber and the anapproximately horizontal kerf cut at floor of the mine chamber.

Ivaryingthe length of said 5. ln' a mining machine, the combination witha main frame, of a supplemental frame completely rotatable about acentral upright axis on said main frame, a. platform on saidsupplemental frame, core-cutting mechanism having an unobstructedcore-opening therethrough .for the passage of a core onto said platform,and means for operating` said core-cutting mechanism including arcuatefeed thereof on said central upright axis to cut a core of material froma mine wall in position to be received by said platform.

6. fn a mining machine, the combination with a supporting framecomprisinganupright standard, of means for securing said standard in amine chamber, a rotary frame mounted on said standard, kerf-cuttingmechanism mounted on said rotary frame and movable bodily therewith,means for adjusting said rotary frame and said kerfcut ting mechanismrectilinearly along said standard, and selfsacting power mechanism foroperating said kerf-cutting mechanism including arcuate feed thereofabout said standard as an airis. y

7. ln a mining machine, the combination with a supporting standard, ofmeans for standard, means for securing said standard in an uprightposition in a mine chamber, 'a rotary frame mounted on said standard,kerfcutting mechanism mounted on said rotary frame in fixed relationthereto and for bodily move-- ment therewith, means for adjusting saidrotary frame and said cutting mechanism vertically and rectilinearlyrelatively to said standard, and means for operating said herfcuttingmechanism including arcuate feed thereof about said standard as an anis.

8. ln a mining machine, the combination with a base frame having anupright standard, of a supplemental frame mounted to rotate about saidstandard in substantially horizontal planes, lerf-cutting mechanismmounted on said supplemental frame to move bodily therewith, means onsaid supplemental frame for adjusting the position of the lattertogether with said kerf-cutting mechanism rectilinearly along saidstandard, andv self-acting power mechanism for operating saidkerf-cutting mechanism including arenn ate. feed thereof about saidlstandard as an axis and along horizontal planes.

9. ln a mining machine, the'comloination with a base frame adapted torest on the licor of a mine chamber, of an upright standard nesopos onsaid base frame, an upward extension detachably mounted on said standardand held against rotation relatively to said standard, a roof-engagingdevice extending upwardly from said extension, means for forcing saidroof-engaging device against the roof of the mine chamber to anchor saidbase frame, said standard and said upper extension firmly in positionbetween the floor and roof of the mine chamber and hold said standardand said upper eXtension against angular rotation, o ou plemental frameadapted to be support/e by said standard or by said upper extension,cutting mechanism carried by said cu plemental frame, and means forlcomplet/elly rotating said supplemental frame together with saidcutting mechanism about said standard or about the upper extensionthereof at a predeterminedV elevation and along horizontal planes.

10. lln' a mining machine, the combination with a supporting standard,of means for securing said standard in an upright position in a` minechamber, a rotary frame mounted on said standard for movementlongitudinally thereof and Afor rotation about the same, threads on saidstandard, a nut meshing with the threads on said standard, mechanism onsaid rotary frame for rotating said nut to move said rotary framerectilinearly along said standard, korf-cutting mechanism mounted onsaid rotary frame and movable bodily therewith, a gear splined to saidstandard to slide along the sameV longitudinally, self-acting powermechanismen said rotary frame connected to said gear to edect rotaryfeed of said cutting mecha-4 nism in horizontal planes about saidstandard as an axis, and means on said rotary frame for driving saidcut-ting mechanism.

ll. ln a mining machine, the combination with a supporting standard, ofthreads on said standard, a rotary frame on said standard, korf-cuttingmechanism on said rotary frame for movement bodily therewith, means onsaid frame for driving said cutting mechanism, a nut on said standard,self-acting power mechanism on said frame for rotating said nut to movethe frame along said standard.,` means between said standard and saidframe to confine such movement along said standard to` rectilinearmovement parallel to the axis of said standard and means for rotatingsaid frame an said cutting mechanism about said standard' to feed thecutting mechanism arcuately in planes perpendicular to the axis of saidstandard.

l2. lln a mining machine, the combination v eoy lll@

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liti@ for rotating said nut to secure adjustment of said frame and saidcutting mechanism along said standard, and mechanism between saidstandard and said frame for preventing relative rotation and compellingsaid frame and said cutting mechanism to move rectilinearly whenadjusted along said standard.

13; In a'mining machine, 'the combination with a supporting standard, ofmeans` for anchorin'g said standard free from obstruc-Y tions inhorizontal planes between the ends of said standard, a supplementalfra-me mounted for rotary movement in horizontal planes about saidstandard and for adjustment 'to various eleva-tions longitudinally of'frame for actuating said core-.cutting mercha-` nism While being ted inan arc by said means .for rotatingl said supplemental frame about saidstandard.

14.- In `a mining machine, the combination with a main frame having athreaded extension, of a supplemental frame rotatable` aboutsaidthreaded extension and comprising spaced-apart ring bearings adjacentsaid extension, two worm wheels on sald extensiony between said ringbearings of said sup- 'vplemental frame, one-of said worm wheels x beingthreaded to said extension and the other being splined 'longitudinallythereof,

` meansv connected to the splined worm wheel for .moving saidsupplemental frame 1n an are relatively to said main frame, cuttingapparatus mounted on said supplemental yiframe and movable bodilytherewith,`means forv actuating said cutting apparatus while being fedin an arc by arcuate movement of said supplemental frame relatively tosaid 'main frame, and mechanism for rotating the worm wheel threadedonto said standard to je'ect adjustment of said cutting apparatus alongsaid extension. l

15.'In a mining' machine,"a standard,

v 'means for securing said standard 'inan upright position in a minechamber, a cutter head mounted on said standard,a nut carried by saidcutter head and threaded on said standard, gearing carriedby said` cut-Vter head for rotating said nut to move said -cutter head rectilinearlyand longitudinally of said standard, and mechanism for locking saidcutter head against rotation on said standard during the rotation ofsaid nut.

1 6. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame havinga threaded portion, of a supplemental frame mounted v on said threadedportion for movement longitudinally thereof and for rotation angularlythereabout,l cutting apparatus mounted on said supplemental frame landmovable bodily therewith, a pair of gears on said threaded portion, onethreaded to said threaded portion and the other slidable longitudinallythereof while 'confined against rotary movement relatively thereto,meansfor rotating the threaded gear to eti'ect.rectilinear movement of saidsupplemental frame and cutting apparatus relatively to said, supportingframe, and means for driving said cuttin apparatus, and means forengaging the ot 1er gear to move the supplemental frame and the cuttingapparatus around the threaded portion of said supporting frame to securearcuate feeding movement of said cutting apparatus. x

17 In a mining machine, the combination with a main frame having athreaded extension, of'a supplemental frame having spacedapart ringssurrounding said extension, a pair of worm gears between said rings, one

threaded to said extension and the otherl splined longitudinallythereof, kerf-cutting mechanism mounted on said supplemental frame,meansfor actuating said`kerf-cutting mechanism, mechanism' connected tosaid splined worm gear for moving said supplemental frame in an,arcrelatively to said main frameto effect arcuate feed; ofsaidkerf-'cutting mechanism, and mechanism connected to the threadedworm .gear for adjusting the supplemental frame relatively toA said mainframe to vary the position of said kerf-cuttin'g mechanism. r

18.v In a min-,lng machine, the combination 'with a supporting framehaving an upright threaded standard, of means for securing said standardin an upright position in a mine chamber, a supplemental framemounted'on said standard' for movement around 4thesame andlongitudinally thereof, cutting cutting mechanism rectilinearly andvertically along said standard while confined against 'rotationrelatively to said standard said first-named worm gear and its 'en-

